“Jim Cole’s music
is acoustic, warm, and captivating. It is pure and simple, but very
poignant. I think you’ll really like Jim. He is a modern-day troubadour
with the heart of a poet. He is a highly skilled, honest artist.”

Bill Gaither

“What a blessing we
received from Jim Cole in our concert series. Jim had the ability to put
each of us in a one-on-one relationship with him for that two-hour time
frame. I can truly say that I’ve never been more blessed and pleased in
a worship concert held at Biltmore Baptist Church. Jim was so easy to
work with and the evidence of his spiritual walk truly blessed everyone
in attendance.”

“Jim Cole is one of
the finest musical talents in contemporary Christian music today. His
music moves beyond the superficial to explore the depths of keeping
faith in a faithless world. His masterful skill on the guitar, his
smooth vocal style, and the fact that his lyrics speak of important
matters make it possible to enjoy his music over and over again.”

Craig Williams
Pastor
Trabuco Presbyterian Church
Trabuco Canyon, CA

“Jim Cole is a very
gifted, humorous, down-to-earth musician. He is a man with a willing,
open and flexible heart. His musical prowess on the guitar is hard to
match, too. I strongly recommend Jim Cole for Christian and crossover
audiences. He is a man after God’s heart with a desire to reach lost
souls. He is a tremendous value for your investment."

“Jim Cole is truly
a blessing to our fellowship. His sensitivity to the Lord’s leading is
most evident. His words and music splendidly came together to draw us
into the presence of God. Jim has an open invitation to come back
anytime. I would without hesitation recommend his ministry to any church
body.”

Tony Logan
Worship Leader
Calvary Chapel
Chino Valley, CA

"Once in awhile, a
musician comes along whose songs not only capture the heart but
challenge the soul. Jim Cole is such a musician. With an honesty that
belies the perceived glory of the celebrated life of a recording artist,
Jim looks at life with a willingness to speak the truth. His music
reflects not only the joy he has found in Christ, but also the pain that
can be experienced when living out the faith in a darkened world. His
music runs the gamut from “Railroad Bill” to “Hymn for Darfur”…from
belly laughs to agonizing reality…from total amusement to total
conviction. We would do well to listen, laugh, cry, and then face up to
his challenge of discipleship."

David Zuchelli
Pastor
Smith Chapel, UMC
Great Falls, Virginia

REVIEWS

Christian Musician May 2004
"Learning and Unlearning"

"Armed with a new producer, a refined sound and a new perspective on
how his art should reflect a life lived under the gaze of Christ, Jim
Cole releases his first new music in many a moon with Learning and
Unlearning a lovely folk-inflected record that revels in simplicity yet
communicates in a relevant and deeply affecting manner. Amidst a bed of
acoustic instrumentation, Cole achieves his most personal statement
ever. While not totally abandoning songs that are more church directed,
Cole writes lyrics with an eye focused on life's joys, pitfalls and
mundane moments seen from a faith-based perspective. Songs such as
“Taunia Lea”, “Road Song” “Missing Part” “Stained Glass Window” and
“Learning and Unlearning” go deep into the recesses of human existence,
relating a balanced view of a believer's journey from broken-ness to
redemption. A nice version of the Curtis Mayfield classic “People Get
Ready” displays a here-to-fore unheard soulful side to Cole's easy vocal
style, likely to diminish (thankfully) the endless references to James
Taylor that have plagued him throughout his career. Producer Ed Cash has
assembled an accomplished cast of musicians who provide an empathetic
backing that steer Cole's compositions toward a wonderfully realized
amalgam of folk and Americana. Garret Buell (Caedmon's Call), Ben Shive
(Andrew Peterson) and Byron House (Julie & Buddy Miller) contribute
sublime moments that push Learning and Unlearning dimensions past
conventional folk-pop records. Far removed from the rather market-driven
pop sound and one dimensional focus of his past recordings, Learning and
Unlearning finds Jim Cole an artist with much to say and a delightfully
engaging way to say it."

Jim Coles ability to take a principle and weave its biblical truth into our present lives is a rare talent. He is an incredibly gifted musician and producer, yet he models a gentle spirit of humility. Jim has a unique (and all too scarce) blend of musical and lyrical talent, rolled into a servants heart.

Mike BinghamWRMB-FM Moody BroadcastingBoynton Beach, FL

Jim Cole is an incredibly talented man, but what impresses me is how very easy it is to see his heart in his songs and the joy of the Lord in his speech. He is a great example for Christianity because for Jim, being a Christian is fun. He is very refreshing as a musician, performer, and follower of Christ.

Julia HollarsProducer, ACTS/Family NetworkFort Worth, TX

This is polished, finely tuned and crafted acoustic music. It is music for the soul that calms and soothes.

Christian Research Report

Jim Cole is a favorite of our listeners. I think they sense his realness . He has been where they are. His ministry arises out of real life, and it shows. He is a gifted musician, and the impact he has on our listeners in a live setting is remarkable."

Jim MarshallGeneral Manager, WHMKColumbia, SC

Jim Cole is a gifted artist. He has a desire to edify the body of Christ and he also knows how to have fun. He easily brings this to the audience with clear lyrics and a Christ-centered attitude about what he is doing.

Edna EdwardsGeneral Manager, WMITBlack Mountain, NC

The title track of his debut album tells us what Jim Cole is all about. Reminiscing about stories his grandmother told him, looking back at his own turbulent youth in the sixties and pondering relationships today, Jim points to each generations need for the Father. A fine singer-songwriter.